Does any Turbo Tax representative read these email questions and "community" replies, or is this forum nothing but a bunch of John Q. Publics like me?

Yes, TT reps read this Board, but many of the members of the public who routinely answer questions here have extensive tax backgrounds, and have been active in the TT Community for years.  They usually have the designation "Champ," but a few (such as myself) do not.  There is also a board Monitor.